Question

Which loses a proton more readily: a methyl group bonded to cyclohexane or a methyl group bonded to benzene?

Short answer

The methyl group on benzene can lose a proton easier than the methyl group on cyclohexane.

Step-by-step solution

Reason behind this

The methyl group on benzene can lose a proton easier than the methyl group on cyclohexane because the electrons left behind on the carbon in the former can be delocalised into the benzene ring. In contrast, the electrons left behind in the other compound cannot be delocalised.

Final answer

The methyl group on benzene can lose a proton easier than the methyl group on cyclohexane.